Child Neglect

Child neglect affect many children all over the world. It is
defined as a "Type of maltreatment that refers to the failure to provide needed
age-appropriate care" such as shelter, food, clothing, education, supervision,
medical care and other basic necessities needed for the development of physical,
intellectual and emotional capacities. Unlike physical and sexual abuse, neglect
is usually typified by an ongoing pattern of inadequate care and is readily
observed by individuals in close contact with the child. Physicians, nurses, day
care personnel, relatives and neighbors are frequently the ones to suspect
neglected infants, toddlers and preschool children.

Physical Neglect:
Accounts for the majority
of cases of maltreatment. The definition includes the refusal of or extreme
delay in seeking the necessary health care, child abandonment, inadequate
supervision, rejection of a child leading to expulsion from home, and
failing to adequately provide for the child's safety and physical and emotional
needs. Physical neglect can severely impact a child's development by causing
failure to thrive, malnutrition; serious illnesses; physical harm in the form of
cuts, bruises and burns due to lack of supervision and a lifetime of low
self-esteem.

Educational Neglect:
This occurs when a child is
allowed to engage in chronic truancy, is of mandatory school age but not
enrolled in school or receiving the needed special educational training. Educational
neglect can lead to underachievement in acquiring the necessary basic skills,
dropping out of school and/or undergoes continuously disruptive behavior.

Emotional Neglect: Iincludes such actions as
chronic or extreme spousal abuse in the child's presence. Allowing a child to
use drugs or alcohol. Refusal or failure to provide needed psychological care.
Constant belittling and withholding of affection. This pattern of behavior can
lead to poor self-image, alcohol or drug abuse, destructive behavior and even
suicide. Severe neglect of infants can result in the infant failing to grow and
thrive and may even lead to infant death.

Medical Neglect: Is the failure to
provide appropriate health care for a child although financially able to do so.
In some cases, a parent or caretaker will withhold traditional medical care
during the practice of religious beliefs. Medical neglect can result in poor
overall health and compounded medical problems.